Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that the next five years will be crucial for the EU and for Ireland's place in it. There is no question about that. I hope that Brexit will not still be an ongoing issue in August, September and October, although it could be. To be honest, I do not want get above myself; this is a call for the Taoiseach. He will make a recommendation, taking into account many of the issues that Deputy Broughan has raised. Ireland needs to select somebody who is able and who has the necessary skill set to be able to do a really good job for Ireland in the Commission, but not just for Ireland. The candidate must do a really good job for the Commission because when one is in the College of Commissioners, one is representing the EU as a collective and not necessarily one's country's place in the EU. It is a serious decision and the Taoiseach will need to weigh up all of those factors and recommend somebody who is appropriate for the job. I am very confident he will be able to do that.

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